MORE than 2200 inner west residents are expected to converge on Simpson Park and close down Campbell St in St Peters as community action intensifies against WestCONnex.

WestCONnex Action Group has teamed with Reclaim the Streets to put on a festival-style protest with ARIA award winner Paul Mac, 40 DJs and eight bands over eight sound stages. 

“Inner West residents are vehemently opposed to this phoney project that fails to solve traffic congestion, and will completely change the face of key suburbs from Newtown to Alexandria and down to Rockdale,” said Janet Dandy-Ward of WestCONnex Action Group. 

“The Government is playing with our health by wanting an LA-style spaghetti interchange layered over high density living, with smoke stacks spewing pollution over us creating a perma-haze of grey skies. 

“King St Newtown will not survive this project as it becomes a clearway like Parramatta Road, and that will be the death of one of Australia’s most vibrant suburbs. 

“It is disgraceful to see the state and federal Governments wasting our tax dollars in such a cavalier fashion on a project that has gone from $12 billion to $20 billion in the space of weeks, with still no clear plan or business case presented to anyone,” said Ms Dandy-Ward.

The Reclaim the Streets festival will be held from 1pm Saturday 13th December at Simpson Park, St. Peters.

The festival will include a kid’s space with face painting, bubbles, chalking competition, mural painting and a Jumping Castle. 

Police have agreed to offer a presence to ensure a family-safe atmosphere is maintained.

Marrickville Council has provided portaloos and bins for the event, and continues to support this action against WestCONnex. 

Marrickville Mayor Mark Gardiner, key councillors, and local politicians have all indicated their attendance. 

Media contact: Garth Montgomery  0408 864 851